The Life-changing Magic of Goal Setting

You know what sparks a happy dance in my books? Plenty of things. I’m easily enthused. Surprise me with a five-star all-you-can-eat buffet or a lifetime supply of hash browns and you’ll witness the euphoric display of emotions I’m referring to. Food aside, the most unlikely of things to activate my joy switch begins with a pen and paper. Formulating the desired synopsis of my future (in the form of goal-setting) initiates a fiery sense of purpose to go forth and leave a very prominent mark on this world. It is just words on paper, but it’s planting the seed for the future I crave.

I’m going to indulge in a little cheesiness and say that the physical act of writing out your goals on paper really is the first step to bringing your dreams to life. So without further ado, let’s unravel the life-changing magic of goal-setting.

RESTORE YOUR SENSE OF PURPOSE

You know the classic esteem-crushing ‘I don’t know what I’m doing with my life’ meltdown? Of course, you do. We’ve all been there. You feel hopelessly lost and not even assuming the foetal position beneath the covers or guzzling down a bottle of wine or two can exterminate these feelings. While discovering your life purpose is a notable human struggle and one that requires a very high patience threshold, becoming a devoted member of the goal digger society might just be the thing to set you on your way. The world of goal setting alters your perspective and inspires a more positive mindset. It initiates a burst of determination which propels you forward. Dreams become action plans. The impossible becomes possible. Confidence replaces doubt. It’s a powerful chain reaction that everybody ought to take advantage of. What’s more is the thrill of a mission can subside your boredom and reverse the negative reel of emotions that sparked this initial bout of insecurity.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DIY LIFE MAP

My sense of direction is abysmal. Lucky for me, I don’t have an issue with surrendering my independence or pride in exchange for help. My ability to navigate using a map is also questionable, so I’m ever so grateful that we’ve moved past the ubiquitous street directory era and I can comfortably rely on digital navigators, unless of course I am dropped into the middle of the woods and forced to navigate my way out (a recurring nightmare of mine), in which case I would be screwed. Anyway, my point is that goal setting is essentially creating your very own life map (the type you can mentally grasp). Before you embark on a journey to your desired destination (the end goal), it’s only logical to establish the best possible route and devise a set of directions for yourself. That’s not to say you won’t accidentally stray off the intended path, it happens, but that’s when you’ll need to revisit your goals and work out if one – there’s a more efficient route or two – you’ve got your heart set on another destination. Although it’s human nature to initially perceive the latter as an unfortunate waste of time, the truth is that it’s all part and parcel of uncovering what you really want, so be prepared to modify your life map along the way.

LET THE UNIVERSE WORK ITS MAGIC

One morning, back in 2014, I woke up and had an epiphany. I was finally ready to renounce the perk-loaded part time gig and put my university degree to good use. So, I wrote down what I considered was a feasible goal at the time. I gave myself 6 months to find a marketing position with a salary of 50K, even though I was entering a particularly saturated job market with zero work experience. I was so eager to start my career and join the 9 to 5 crew (shift work makes you crave routine) but I wasn’t prepared to settle for just any position. I would think about what I would say when I received ‘the call’ informing me that I got the job and I would picture myself handing in my resignation, probably overcome by a mixture of emotions. This became a daily mantra of mine. 4 months down the track, I got the job I wanted with a close enough salary to validate the law of attraction – you can manifest your own reality. That’s not to say you don’t have to put in the hours or the effort – I applied for 20 jobs before I got an interview – but the power of your thoughts should not be dismissed or regarded as a mere coincidence. Actively thinking about and visualising your end goal is simply the icing on top of your physical efforts. So, my advice to you is this – indulge in a daily day dreaming session and let the universe work its magic.